Apply

It’s really hard to believe that it’s been
15 years since these guys were everywhere with
the single “Kiss Me.” Since then there were
two more albums and a break-up before reuniting
and self-producing “Lost in Transition.” I’m
not going to lie; this is a gorgeous album.
There’s absolutely nothing here to reproduce
the Top 40 ubiquity of “Kiss Me” or “There She
Goes,” but everything on the album is beautifully
written and produced. Sixpence’s sound has changed,
as its component members have matured. The new
sound is stripped down with more country influences
but maintains the band’s penchant for acoustic
guitars and spider-silk, light pop hooks. Lead
singer Leigh Nash’s voice has added a subtle
depth in the ensuing years that keeps the vocals
light but adds a weight that keeps the songs
from skittering off into treacle unlistenability.
It’s an unexpected pop delight. CV

Dead
Can Dance

‘Anastasis’

[PIAS] Recordings

“Anastasis” is the first Dead Can Dance album
in 16 years, and it picks up right where the
band left off in 1996. World music with a heavy
goth influence, it’s a dense, intricate album.
“Anastasis” features a strong Middle-Eastern
vibe, with most tracks carrying at least a hint
of Dead Can Dance’s peculiar Indian patois as
an underlying theme. “Agape” and “Kiko” are
the high points of the album, both featuring
sexy, driving drum tracks backing Lisa Gerrard’s
ethereal vocals. Gerrard’s work on the album
is so strong, the tracks that switch to Brendan
Perry’s vocals suffer simply by subtraction.
The album works best when the band members are
being their natural, esoteric selves, but “Children
of the Sun” and “All in Good Time” bookend the
album nicely with slightly more poppy tracks
that sound a bit like a Morrissey/Cocteau Twins
amalgam. CV